Work/Life Training and Education
Work/Life offers workshops on a variety of issues either by request from departments or by open enrollment in classes. Topics include, but are not limited to: caregiving for children and teenagers, self-compassion for caregivers, relaxation strategies, and financial literacy.
The regular practice of mindfulness meditation has a demonstrable impact on psychological and physical health, improving mood, decreasing stress, strengthening the immune system, and supporting sleep.
Be Well at Work Employee Assistance and Work/Life invite faculty and staff to join us for a monthly meditation group which will offer a moment of relaxation and rejuvenation during the work day. Each month will focus on a beneficial intention to guide us.
No registration is required and no prior experience with meditation is necessary. All are welcome.
Virtually:
- First Wednesday of the month at 12:15 - 12:45 pm
- Third Thursday of the month at 2 pm - 2:20 pm
If you would like these sessions added to your bCal for scheduling notifications and the Zoom link, please email kpatchell@berkeley.edu.
For requests: Please contact kpatchell@berkeley.edu if you would like to request a 10, 20, or 30-minute mindful meditation for your department.
ENROLLMENT
UC Berkeley and LBNL Faculty, Staff, Visiting Scholars, and Postdocs:
- Click on the “enroll here” hyperlink to take you to the UCB Learning Center.
- Enter your CalNet Passphrase.
- Click "Submit."
Fall 2024 Parenting Workshops
Planning Your Pregnancy Leave
Thursday, September 19th, noon - 1 pm via Zoom
Speakers: Jurrisha Johnson, People and Culture Lead Leaves Coordinator, Gabe Schmidt, People and Culture Healthcare Facilitator, Sheila Blake, People and Culture Benefits Counselor/Leave Coordinator, Yvette Escobar, People and Culture Leave Coordinator, Kristin Rissanen Ikuta, Academic Personnel Office Sr. Analyst
Are you thinking about starting a family? This workshop will provide information on leave policies, disability benefits, use of income supplements: sick/vacation/pto/pfcb, etc., and options on when/how to return to work after having a child for both academic and staff employees.
Breastfeeding Your Baby: Return to Work/School
Tuesday, October 1st, 1 pm - 4:15 pm via Zoom
Speaker: Tina Benitez
The demands of caregiving children and teenagers, while also working, can keep us so busy and overloaded, that we are often unable to find time to think about or nurture our own needs. This can put us at risk of overwhelm, burnout, and heightened self-criticism. Join us for this interactive workshop which will focus on understanding self-compassion, how we can be kinder to ourselves during moments of stress, and strategies for turning fault-finding into recognition of all that we hold.
Transitioning Back After Baby Bonding Leave
Thursday, October 17th, Noon - 1 pm via Zoom
Speakers: Karen Patchell, MA, Be Well at Work Work/Life, Elliott DiTusa, LPCC, Be Well at Work Employee Assistance, Mary Kelly, M.S. Be Well at Work Disability Management, Greg Ryan, Be Well at Work Ergonomics
For both birth and non-birth parents, the transition back to work after baby bonding leave can feel overwhelming. It can be filled with a vast array of emotions, concerns, and limitations, not to mention demanding and conflicting schedules.
Join us for this panel discussion which focuses on understanding both positive and negative emotions related to this transition, how to establish boundaries at work, benefits and accommodations available to working parents, ergonomic strategies for multiple workstations, and self-care resources to help ease the physical and mental pressure associated with working while caregiving.
Connective Parenting for Neurodivergent Families - Diverse Pathways
Thursday, October 24th, Noon - 1:30 pm via Zoom
Facilitator: Velma Gentzsch
Panel Speakers: Marilupe de la Calle, Founder of Hand in Hand Parenting, Julie Carter, connected parenting instructor, and education civil rights attorney, Abigail Wald from motherflippingawesome.com, Priya Saaral, co-author of Parenting at the Intersections: Raising neurodivergent children of color.
Each neurodivergent family is unique. Join a panel of five parenting coaches who have navigated connective parenting in their family. The goal is to share the journey of how we have come to understand neurodivergency in our families and the ways we've customized our parenting specializing in the Hand in Hand parenting tools.
Navigating the Holidays with Self-Compassion
Tuesday, November 19th, Noon - 1 pm via Zoom
Speaker: Karen Patchell, MA, Be Well at Work Work/Life
The holiday season, while often joyful, can also bring a range of challenges and stressors that impact our emotional and physical well-being. In this interactive workshop, we will broaden our understanding of self-compassion, identify common holiday stressors, explore practical strategies to maintain well-being and cultivate kindness towards ourselves during the heightened demands of the holiday season.
Fall 2024 Financial Workshops
529 College Saving Plans
Tuesday, October 15th, noon - 1 pm via Zoom
Speaker: James Palen, ScholarShare
How you save and plan for your loved one’s education goals matters. The way you save and allocate for college savings dictates the investments you have access to, the tax status of your funds for education expenses, and even has an impact on the needs-based financial aid your loved one is eligible to receive. Join us for a college savings workshop to help you better navigate the college savings arena. During this workshop, we will discuss:
- Paying for college “The basics”
- The cost of higher education
- Different ways to save
- Is ScholarShare 529 the right plan for you and your family
- Getting started
- Making the most of existing accounts (resources)
- The Matching Grant Program and CalKids Q&A
Navigating the System: Social Security Retirement
Tuesday, October 29th, Noon - 1 pm, via MS Teams
Speaker: Katie Shen, Social Security Administration
Worried about what to expect from Social Security? Find out what Social Security retirement benefits and options are available to you and your family (including divorced spouse benefits), as well as when and how to file a claim.
Managing Money: A Caregiver's Guide to Finances *Hosted by Be Well at Work Elder Care*
Tuesday, November 12th, Noon - 1:30 pm via Zoom
Speaker: Mercel Amin, Sr. Manager, Community Outreach and Engagement, Alzheimer's Association of Northern California
If you or someone you know is facing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or another chronic illness, it's never too early to put financial plans in place. Join us to learn about the benefits of early planning, how to prepare for future care costs, and how to manage someone else's finances.
Elder Care Training and Education
The Elder Care program offers monthly educational workshops and webinars on topics related to elder care and caregiver resilience. The workshops are presented by professionals and experienced caregivers. These workshops are open to current UC Berkeley and LBL employees and generally take place on a weekday from 12:10-1:30 pm.